While the defense applications of additive manufacturing have made great strides, there’s one area we hear little of. Armor and safety gear have been oddly missing from 3D printing circles until now. Researchers at MIT are looking into the possibilities presented by 3D printing armor inspired by marine life. They are specifically looking at conch shells and how they protect their inhabitants from harm.
The researchers have come up with new methods of printing to enable them to create the labyrinthine details of the conch’s structure. One might assume that the researchers are using chalk like in real conch shells, but this is not the case. It’s not the materials that comprise conch shells which makes them special, it’s their structure.
A Stronger Structure
The researchers are using the same design that resides naturally in conch shells. This can be best described as a 3-tiered form composed of varying layers. Each grain within the layer spreads out in different directions giving it a maze-like quality when observed up close. As a result, the pattern spreads out the effects of any impact across a complex pattern reducing damage.
The researchers plan to use 3D printed polymers to replicate this effect and have conducted trials with promising results. The polymers are laid out in a 3-tiered zigzag matrix that absorbs shocks. The polymers all have varying degrees of strength and resilience. During tests, researchers laid out the new conch inspired design and the original polymer as a control sample. They noted just how absorbent their new design was.
3D Printed Armor Inspired by Biomimicry
The researchers are planing to use this finding to make armour and safety gear. It could be applicable to construction work, mining and defense. It could potentially save lives and produce safer work equipment. This is especially true for manual labourers and soldiers.
While 3D printing defensive goods is not super common, it has been done before. Markforged have previously shown that they have machines that print using kevlar. Similarly, 3D hubs sells kevlar materials, so it is plausible that companies are using them for body armor. It is surprising that this side of the 3D printing innovation gets very little attention. That is likely to change as more defense contractors invest in the field.
Image and video made by Melanie Gonick.